Exploring unused content that doesn't make it into a final game might be my favorite time sink on the internet. Over the years, I've spent many late nights on websites like The Cutting Room Floor and Unseen 64 digging through the disc...

(Image Source: Nintendo UK)
Around August last year, I bought a Switch. That's far from a surprise. I've focused on Nintendo platforms my entire life and know there will be a at least a handful of titles I'll want at some point. Howev...

(Image Source: Amazon)
Once in awhile there's an explosion of Kirby titles. On Nintendo 3DS specifically though, I've lost track of what is coming and when. There has been a significant mix of both retail and digital releases over the...

Dead or Alive Xtreme has never been shy in what it's about. Even the commercial for the original release on Xbox was blatant about being a sexual tease. Due to that reputation, it's received frequent criticism of being nothing more th...

This article contains some spoilers for Valkyria Revolution and the direction of its plot.
Valkyria Revolution is not well-liked. I've seen few who think this attempt to re-invent the brand as an Action RPG amounted to anything. By th...

I, alone, will likely never play enough games released in one year to do any sort of Game of the Year list. I'm spread pretty thin across a variety of generations. Nothing I have to say about 2017 is all encompassing.
However, I do ha...

The Undead Syndrome is a bizarre trip that would make anyone question why they’re playing it. But giving the game a bit of your time will leave you with an unforgettable experience… for both the right and wrong reasons

Procedurally generated content is not my favorite solution to level design. But when dealing with concepts that extend well beyond the usual scope, it's unavoidable. No Man Sky is a good example, which essentially promises the infinit...

Yoshi has had it rough. Most will point to Yoshi’s Island as the pinnacle of the series. But even with excluding the puzzle games, there’s one other game I think every fan should spend at least some time with.

Note: I'm the opposite of an exercising expert. Don't be a dumbass like me and say “This is fine and OK until I get hurt.” Probably actually ask someone who knows what they're talking about. (Image Source: PopGeek)
Exercis...

This article is a reworking of my Video Gaming Bits Tumblr Post for Circle of the Moon (Image Source: Level Up Video Games)
About a year ago I wrote an impressions piece on Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night's E3 2016 demo. The u...

(Image Source: MobyGames)
Seeing a random title with a big publisher's name on it is always sort of a surprise. I found Crimson Tears for the PlayStation 2 in a game store's bargin bin, complete with Capcom's logo on it. Released in 2...

Like any live game, Final Fantasy XI has changed significantly over its fifteen year life. In my five years – plus some – with the game, I can't think of a single bigger turning point than the release of the expansio...

(Image Source: Moby Games)
Recently I published a video about Spectrobes: Origins, developed by Genki. While I briefly mentioned the developer's history with another Monster Collecting series, Jade Cocoon, they actually have quite a d...

Super Panda Ball is an obstacle course style game featuring a panda who likes to be hit a little too much. This Japanese doujin title combines physics based movement and an obstacle course structure through seven worlds.

From the outside, it can be difficult to tell when a series has gone off the rails and into rehash territory. For years Call of Duty was criticized for being the same game released every 12 months, but almost everyone has a belo...

It’s easy to forget about Spectrobes as it had a fairly short run before puttering out. While sales whimpered with the final release, it did go out with a bang. Spectrobes: Origins is a surprisingly ambitious Action Adventure Game for the Wii.

Surprise I'm not dead.Updated my disclosure list with my current employer
BeHaviour Interactive is now a client.
Pokemon Company is no longer a client.
Disney China is no longer a client + doesn't make games anymore.
hthttps://oculin.wordpress.com

If there's one thing that stands above anything else for me in a game, it's if they achieve something unique. When focusing on the most recent releases, this is largely limited to looking at what has come before it. However, sometime ...

(Image Source: Anison USA)
Japanese music festivals aren't something I have much experience with or an interest in. I avoid talking about music since I honestly don't know what to say beyond, “it good yo.” However, in an a...

This article contains significant spoilers regarding NieR and NieR: Automata.
When I played the original NieR more than half a decade ago, I don't think I could have ever have foreseen how much it'd resonate with me or that it would b...

Japanese Visual novels are nearly impenetrable without the ability to read the language. They're essentially choose your own adventure books with music and heavily recycled 2D graphics, which often makes playing one as a foreigner fee...

I wouldn't say I'm a mobile game aficionado. I dumped six months into Puzzles and Dragons, played two months of Final Fantasy: Grand Masters and experienced the riveting Hill Cliff Horse, which was like being in a Gaia Online chat roo...

About Oculinone of us since 8:47 PM on 03.29.2012

Oculin, or Benjamin Yoder, was previously Editor-in-Chief at TheSpeedGamers and contributor at VGChartz. Now, he is simply a game blogger and weeaboo in denial.

Digging for gems in unknown or poorly received titles is what Oculin games for. He places a large emphasis on interesting ideas and entertainment value, versus polished mechanics.

Disclosure: The Pokemon Company International is a client of my current place of employment.